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mattdoylemedia's review
4.0
Rebecca Langham’s debut novel Beneath The Surface was, in my opinion, a superb piece of sci-fi. As such, I was eager to dive into her new novella Finding Aurora. This time, Rebecca is working in a fantasy world, providing us with an LGBTQ retelling of the classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty.
The first thing to note here is that, even with the short length of the book, it’s clear that the magic system for the world has rules. We get enough of a glimpse of this to feel that there’s a structure in place, and that is something that really enriches this sort of story. Sure, it may not get to the near technical manual levels of some longer works, but that level of detail isn’t needed here. Rebecca is great at creating vivid pictures of what’s happening and shows us what we need to know, rather than padding it all out. In particular, I was really intrigued by the number of very different but equally well-crafted spells used by our protagonist Talia.
The story hurtles along at a decent pace, and we don’t really waste any pages. It’s a concise retelling and all the better for it. What this means is that when we’re not dealing with magical workings and action, we get plenty of character growth and exploration of ideas. For example, the discussion about the existence of love’s first kiss and how it exists long before you meet was fascinating. On top of that, we have a nice spectrum of representation here, with a FF pairing, bisexuality, and asexuality all covered by the characters. I was also really happy with how the book dealt with the first kiss between the slumbering princess and her rescuer; the character in question does acknowledge the inherent problem of the sleeping curse as it pertains to consent and acts in a necessary but well thought out way.
In terms of negatives, there’s very little to talk about. The short length may well leave you wanting a little more, of course. I’d also say that I spotted the twist ending long before it happened, though I did feel that the clues were in place to enable this if you look for them. No, my only real issue is that, as good as the ending is, it does leave some plot threads hanging. While it’s fun to try to figure out where things went next, it would have been nice to see some of it carry through to a definite conclusion.
In all though, this is a marvelous, quick read. It actually marks the first time in a long while that I’ve been compelled to read a book in one sitting. This is an easy 4 out of 5.
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The first thing to note here is that, even with the short length of the book, it’s clear that the magic system for the world has rules. We get enough of a glimpse of this to feel that there’s a structure in place, and that is something that really enriches this sort of story. Sure, it may not get to the near technical manual levels of some longer works, but that level of detail isn’t needed here. Rebecca is great at creating vivid pictures of what’s happening and shows us what we need to know, rather than padding it all out. In particular, I was really intrigued by the number of very different but equally well-crafted spells used by our protagonist Talia.
The story hurtles along at a decent pace, and we don’t really waste any pages. It’s a concise retelling and all the better for it. What this means is that when we’re not dealing with magical workings and action, we get plenty of character growth and exploration of ideas. For example, the discussion about the existence of love’s first kiss and how it exists long before you meet was fascinating. On top of that, we have a nice spectrum of representation here, with a FF pairing, bisexuality, and asexuality all covered by the characters. I was also really happy with how the book dealt with the first kiss between the slumbering princess and her rescuer; the character in question does acknowledge the inherent problem of the sleeping curse as it pertains to consent and acts in a necessary but well thought out way.
In terms of negatives, there’s very little to talk about. The short length may well leave you wanting a little more, of course. I’d also say that I spotted the twist ending long before it happened, though I did feel that the clues were in place to enable this if you look for them. No, my only real issue is that, as good as the ending is, it does leave some plot threads hanging. While it’s fun to try to figure out where things went next, it would have been nice to see some of it carry through to a definite conclusion.
In all though, this is a marvelous, quick read. It actually marks the first time in a long while that I’ve been compelled to read a book in one sitting. This is an easy 4 out of 5.
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sashreads's review
4.0
Why did I take so long to read this novella?!
This has an ace/aro character as well as wlw.
Going into this short story I had no idea it was a sleeping beauty retelling but it did so well. The twists and turns you take with the characters are great.
As always with novellas I wish there was more.
This has an ace/aro character as well as wlw.
Going into this short story I had no idea it was a sleeping beauty retelling but it did so well. The twists and turns you take with the characters are great.
As always with novellas I wish there was more.
kasena's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
starrwad's review against another edition
5.0
Finding Aurora is a short, sweet, and fun retelling of Sleeping Beauty with LGBTQ+ characters, which was a nice change of pace. I grew to love these characters and would willingly follow them through a series. Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC.
isoka's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emhamill's review against another edition
4.0
A very lovely little short story, retelling the Sleeping Beauty tale. I enjoyed reading it!
arthurgdean's review
5.0
4.5
Recensione su FantasyAmo
Questa è la prima pubblicazione che leggo di questa autrice, e devo dire che mi è piaciuta davvero molto.
Talia, la giovane incantatrice/maga del regno di Grimvein, deve accompagnare il suo principe, Amir, a liberare la principessa Aurora. Questa, infatti, è prigioniera di un sonno profondo nella città di Oldpass a causa di un maleficio.
Ebbene sì, questo è un retelling della Bella Addormentata, ma in chiave lgbt+.
Non voglio spoilerare la sessualità dei protagonisti, perché è una cosa piuttosto importante nella storia, però posso dire che come persona lgbt+ io stessa mi è piaciuto il modo in cui l'autrice ha gestito la cosa.
Finding Aurora è un fantasy piuttosto lineare e classico, quasi sword & sorcery se non fosse che per la maggior parte si parla della seconda. Incantesimi, creature orribili, tranelli... Mi mancava un po' questa classicità, che comunque è gestita in modo ottimo e non banale.
Per quanto riguarda i personaggi, Talia è un personaggio davvero particolare. Non solo per via della sua magia, ma per come si pone di fronte alle difficoltà e ai suo sentimenti per Amir e Red.
Amir a tratti mi è sembrato un po' stupido, però il suo coraggio, il suo essere volenteroso e la sua pietà me lo fanno amare lo stesso. L'amicizia tra lui e Talia è qualcosa di davvero prezioso.
Per quanto riguarda Red, invece, all'inizio sappiamo davvero poco di lei e questo mi rendeva un po' restia nei suoi confronti, ma alla fine tutti i nodi vengono al pettine e la sua storia si ricongiunge con quella degli altri. Anche la sua relazione con Talia è profonda e peculiare, e forse la cosa che mi è piaciuta di più assieme al poco worlduilding necessario.
Gli altri personaggi sono un po' delle comparse, quindi in realtà non mi sono fatta un'idea.
Per quanto riguarda lo stile dell'autrice. non c'è male. Però non mi ha lasciato una vera impressione, non contrubuisce molto alla storia.
Nel complesso una novelette che consiglio vivamente, e spero di poter leggere presto qualcos'altro di quest'autrice!
Recensione su FantasyAmo
Questa è la prima pubblicazione che leggo di questa autrice, e devo dire che mi è piaciuta davvero molto.
Talia, la giovane incantatrice/maga del regno di Grimvein, deve accompagnare il suo principe, Amir, a liberare la principessa Aurora. Questa, infatti, è prigioniera di un sonno profondo nella città di Oldpass a causa di un maleficio.
Ebbene sì, questo è un retelling della Bella Addormentata, ma in chiave lgbt+.
Non voglio spoilerare la sessualità dei protagonisti, perché è una cosa piuttosto importante nella storia, però posso dire che come persona lgbt+ io stessa mi è piaciuto il modo in cui l'autrice ha gestito la cosa.
Finding Aurora è un fantasy piuttosto lineare e classico, quasi sword & sorcery se non fosse che per la maggior parte si parla della seconda. Incantesimi, creature orribili, tranelli... Mi mancava un po' questa classicità, che comunque è gestita in modo ottimo e non banale.
Per quanto riguarda i personaggi, Talia è un personaggio davvero particolare. Non solo per via della sua magia, ma per come si pone di fronte alle difficoltà e ai suo sentimenti per Amir e Red.
Amir a tratti mi è sembrato un po' stupido, però il suo coraggio, il suo essere volenteroso e la sua pietà me lo fanno amare lo stesso. L'amicizia tra lui e Talia è qualcosa di davvero prezioso.
Per quanto riguarda Red, invece, all'inizio sappiamo davvero poco di lei e questo mi rendeva un po' restia nei suoi confronti, ma alla fine tutti i nodi vengono al pettine e la sua storia si ricongiunge con quella degli altri. Anche la sua relazione con Talia è profonda e peculiare, e forse la cosa che mi è piaciuta di più assieme al poco worlduilding necessario.
Gli altri personaggi sono un po' delle comparse, quindi in realtà non mi sono fatta un'idea.
Per quanto riguarda lo stile dell'autrice. non c'è male. Però non mi ha lasciato una vera impressione, non contrubuisce molto alla storia.
Nel complesso una novelette che consiglio vivamente, e spero di poter leggere presto qualcos'altro di quest'autrice!
erika_m55's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
michellemaas's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The book was pretty short so I'm going to try (and most likely fail) to keep my review short as well.
Finding Aurora follows a "caster" (someone who can manipulate the universe's energy to cast spells) and the prince of the kingdom as they set out on a journey to wake princess Aurora who was cursed with eternal sleep 100 years ago.
Like I already mentioned it was a very fast read with my version having only being 83 pages. I want to say I finished it in an hour, but even that sounds a little dramatic. Now I can appreciate some good fluff in most of my books (especially my fantasy books) but there is something to be said for the author just telling the story without a bunch of flounce and filigree. If anything I would recommend you read it just because it is so fast. I think it would be perfect for overcoming a reading slump as well.
Ultimately, it was an entertaining, fast-paced read with lots of action and good representation. What more can I ask of a book?
Finding Aurora follows a "caster" (someone who can manipulate the universe's energy to cast spells) and the prince of the kingdom as they set out on a journey to wake princess Aurora who was cursed with eternal sleep 100 years ago.
Like I already mentioned it was a very fast read with my version having only being 83 pages. I want to say I finished it in an hour, but even that sounds a little dramatic. Now I can appreciate some good fluff in most of my books (especially my fantasy books) but there is something to be said for the author just telling the story without a bunch of flounce and filigree. If anything I would recommend you read it just because it is so fast. I think it would be perfect for overcoming a reading slump as well.
Ultimately, it was an entertaining, fast-paced read with lots of action and good representation. What more can I ask of a book?
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
loveforwords's review
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I will forever and ever be grateful to short books because they're an escape from reality that doesn't require too much energy from the reader.
I found Finding Aurora in a rec list for fairytale retellings. One of the reasons I didn't enjoy it more than I did is probably because it reads like a Middle Grade to Young Adult book (or younger YA, whichever gets my point across).
I put it in the same category as Fairest Son : short and easy.
Likes:
- It's a retelling *squeals*
- LGBTQIA+ rep, and not just for show? The author doesn't really delve into it, granted, but it still feels genuine. The confusion is good, speaking from experience.
- The true love kiss. The execution wasn't exactly smooth, and it was quite predictable, but I loved it so much.
- It's a quick read, good to take your mind off life's problems.
Middle ground:
- I didn't particularly like the characters, especially the main one, she feels a bit like a pick-me girl. But they're meant to be sweet and they don't cross into annoying territory (too often) so we're cool. The prince is cute.
- The world building is not the strongest, but what can you really do with 70 pages in that aspect. Let's not be too demanding.
- The pacing was slow, and the plot kinda weak.
Dislikes:
- The writing wasn't my cup of tea. The big words with the young-ish tone make it feel clumsy.
- The ending. It's quite childish, and rushed, and open ended, my checklist for endings I don't like.
- The lack of substance, of depth, in the whole story and mood. The scenes that were meant to be tragic felt cartoonishly so because there was a lot of telling and not much showing.
I found Finding Aurora in a rec list for fairytale retellings. One of the reasons I didn't enjoy it more than I did is probably because it reads like a Middle Grade to Young Adult book (or younger YA, whichever gets my point across).
I put it in the same category as Fairest Son : short and easy.
Likes:
- It's a retelling *squeals*
- LGBTQIA+ rep, and not just for show? The author doesn't really delve into it, granted, but it still feels genuine. The confusion is good, speaking from experience.
- The true love kiss. The execution wasn't exactly smooth, and it was quite predictable, but I loved it so much.
- It's a quick read, good to take your mind off life's problems.
Middle ground:
- I didn't particularly like the characters, especially the main one, she feels a bit like a pick-me girl. But they're meant to be sweet and they don't cross into annoying territory (too often) so we're cool. The prince is cute.
- The world building is not the strongest, but what can you really do with 70 pages in that aspect. Let's not be too demanding.
- The pacing was slow, and the plot kinda weak.
Dislikes:
- The writing wasn't my cup of tea. The big words with the young-ish tone make it feel clumsy.
- The ending. It's quite childish, and rushed, and open ended, my checklist for endings I don't like.
- The lack of substance, of depth, in the whole story and mood. The scenes that were meant to be tragic felt cartoonishly so because there was a lot of telling and not much showing.